Tag Archives: Minner

News-Journal: Fisker to Build Hybrid Cars at Boxwood Plant

Andrew Eder, who has been all over this story, reports the good news.

And, lest anyone think that Jack Markell just got lucky, here is what a governor who was actively engaged did:

The company’s decision to use the Boxwood Road factory marks a quick resurrection for the 62-year-old plant, a casualty of GM’s bankruptcy and restructuring earlier this year. Gov. Jack Markell had asked Motors Liquidation Co., which is disposing of GM’s unwanted properties in bankruptcy court, to keep equipment in the local plant to help market it to automakers.

Does anyone think Governor Chicken-‘n’-Dumplings or her comatose staff would have thought of this?

As Branch Rickey, the General Manager for the Brooklyn Dodgers and the man who brought Jackie Robinson to the major leagues, once said, “Luck is the residue of design.”

DEwind: The Week That Was November 17th

Photo by betsythedevine (CC license)

This past week has been a little slow on the Delaware news as blogged by Delaware bloggers. We’ve had the stories that guessed who would suceed Biden as Senator, even a plea for Beau not to to Iraq and another to say he should and Beau saying he’s not interested in his dad’s seat.

Gov.-Elect Markell is asking for ideas on how to fix the state, we gave some and so did Delawonk. What’s not surprsing is that there is agreement across the aisle.

On the state legislative front, the Democrats have picked Michael Migliore to run in the special election for the 6th Representative District. Delaware Watch questions the need for Republicans to show up in the State Senate.

Delaware’s Dan Pfeffier has been named as Deputy Communications Director for the Obama Administration which puts the count to 3 Delawareans who potentially have Obama’s ear.

On State News front, the list of Delaware’s top tax scofflaws has been released and, maybe, Gov. Minner isn’t doing too bad of a job.

Some stories to read from this week are:

Not that you should read this, but just to let you know what the Social Bigots are up to take a gander at Delmar DustPan’s racist joke.

From The Archives:
liberalgeek’s Branson: Vegas on Lithium.

That may be my mantra for this trip. It was a nice town, but it isn’t my bag. I don’t know if I could do this again, let alone every year. The city felt like a cross between a boardwalk and Vegas. But, if you like musicals or country music, or shtick or buffets (OK, I like them, too) you will have a much better time than I.

Why Carney, Why Now?

Ruth Ann Minner must appoint John Carney to the position of US Senator as soon as Joe Biden steps down.  Joe Biden is currently number 5 in seniority in the Senate.  This is a big deal for Delaware.  Joe got his pick of committee assignments, choice accommodations and a bully pulpit for his (Delaware’s) issues.

Check out the anticipated seniority of the incoming Senate.  Currently, the new Senator from Illinois will come in at number 92.  This ranking assumes that Joe Biden doesn’t resign, Ted Stevens gets to stay, and that Norm Coleman wins in Minnesota.  I will grant you that Coleman has a shot of staying, but the other two are foregone conclusions.

This leaves the IL Senator as number 90 (or 89) and makes Delaware number 91.  If you also consider the possibility that John Kerry and Hillary Clinton are being considered for the cabinet (although that may be an either/or issue).  It is even possible that Saxby Chambliss could be a goner.  Speaking of which, there’s Ted Kennedy.

This could put John Carney in the Senate in the high 80’s of seniority.  The very complexion of the Senate is going to change in the next few years and having a Senator that is going to be there for 25 or 30 years, starting now makes Delaware a stronger state.  It took Tom Carper 6 years to rise to the high 80’s in seniority (he will be at 56 once Joe resigns).

How about this, if Ted Stevens wins his hotly contested reelection bid, Sarah Palin could (possibly illegally) appoint herself to the position in the event of his expulsion from the Senate.  Would you really want Sarah Palin being sworn in ahead of John Carney?  Or even one of his rivals?

Joe, please resign.  Ruth Ann, please appoint John Carney.  If not, we run the very real risk of Mike Castle stealing that seat from Beau in an open election in 2010 and having a Senator ranked number 100 and in the minority party.

No, Governor Minner Embarrassed Herself

Ron Williams writes in today’s NJ:

Minner’s comments came as Carney was calling on his supporters to rally around Markell for a unified Democratic victory in November. They came as state party chairman John Daniello called for party harmony. “Both sides [Markell and Carney] will need each other to win in November,” Daniello told the Delaware State News.

Does this sound like a party that is waiting for its current embarrassment of a Governor to do anything? DelDems would be pleased, certainly, to have the Governor display the kind of grace and enthusiasm that John Carney and his team have exhibited since his concession. But once Jack won, Ruth Ann could have chosen to preserve some semblance of self respect by happily endorsing and making herself part of the unity. But she decided to do what no other leadership Democrats did — stamp her feet and pout. No matter, Ruth Ann is officially a lame duck now and has officially ceded any leadership she may have had at the Party level. While she is off embarrassing herself (and damaging an already thin legacy even further), Dems are probably breathing a sign of relief — that she’s not going to be present to either embarrass or hurt Jack (or other Democrats) on the campaign trail for the next 2 months.

Even though we may have to remind folks that the crazy lady behind those closed doors we keep only because she has a claim on the space until January, she embarrasses no one but herself now.